Language Lessons

Need to brush up on your French or English skills while you are with us? Claudine is a retired teacher who specializes in teaching French and English as foreign languages who will be glad to offer you her services if you have any such needs...

Eiffel Tower at night

There is so much to see and do when based in Saints. Almost 50% of France's greatest monuments are within day-trip distance of the Thibault Villa Vacation Property and Rental Home. A few are below, while more are to the left of this paragraph.

Fontainebleau is perhaps the second most famous and beautiful chateau in France. It is about 1 hour away from the house and can be combined as part of a day trip to Vaux-le-Vicomte (see below). Be sure to see Napoleon's bed with the little stairs leading up to it from the... floor. Fontainebleau is a UNESCO World Heritage Site near Saints.

Old Medieval Town, about 20 minutes away, with huge ramparts and pleasant cafes. This was one of the most important medieval cities. Provins is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once the domain of the Counts of Champagne who were Thibaults. Also the Thibault family came from Provins to Saints nine generations ago. UNESCO writes that "The fortified medieval town of Provins is situated in the former territory of the powerful Counts of Champagne. It bears witness to early developments in the organization of international trading fairs and the wool industry. The urban structure of Provins, which was built specifically to host the fairs and related activities [and] preserves to a high degree the architecture and urban layout that characterize these great medieval fair towns." The towns of Laon and Provins are wonderful rampart towns. I recommend Laon the most of the two. But Provins is only 20 minutes or so away from Saints and is well worth the visit. Provins hosts a delightfully huge medieval festival in June. Laon is two hours away. If you go to Provins, you can combine that with some other driving further down to towns such as Troyes, Avallon, Vezelay - another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Auxerre, etc. All of them have either superlative views, abbeys, cathedrals, ramparts and/or beautiful monasteries, etc.

Chartres is another UNESCO World Heritage site. Built to house a great relic, many say that this is the most beautiful cathedral in the world. Its famed stainglass windows are without equal. It is certainly one of the most interesting of all cathedrals with its two completely different towers, built at different times using different architectural styles. There is also a very famous maze which the faithful used to complete in about one hour while moving around on their knees.

EURODISNEY: The Thibault Villa is conveniently located for Disneyland Resort Paris (formerly Eurodisney) and is about 20-25 minutes (25 kms/16 miles) away. Getting there is easy: the roads are straight and mostly free of traffic for easy and fast traveling. It is also a fun drive. The Eurostar supertrain goes there too - to London and Brussels. And from there Eurostar trains and TGVs serve the south of France. Cars can be rented directly at Disneyland from AVIS, Hertz, Europecar, etc.

Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte was the setting for novel "The Man in the Iron Mask" and the Leonardo diCaprio hit movie of the same name is about 45 minutes away. It's the resplendant chateau that made Louis XIV jealous enough to build Versailles and with the same team of designers.

Crecy Golf Club / 77580 Crecy la Chapelle. Boasts two golf courses: The Vignoly and the Montpichet. About 15 kms from the house, people we know talk highly of it and the site is beautiful. There is also a pool and a restaurant. We were particularly impressed when we visited. Please go to www.domainedelabrie.com for more information.Distance: 33km/21mi from the Thibault Villa.

Golf Bussy St Georges, a little further, set within the newly built town of Bussy St Georges, right next to Disneyland. www.golfbussy.com.Distance: 34km/21mi from the Thibault Villa.